Misplaced Sympathy.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 75, 21 December 1907, Page 21

Misplaced Sympathy.

-.•Mrs. Stowoll, ivho was visiting ' n blind asylum, was grimily impressed by- tho woiidei'l'ul things that bad been accomplished by thesa. aUlioleil ...beings.. Iler.. sympathy . in'creased as she saw more of the inmates, and nverllowed when she mel on tho stairs a young.blind boy going up as rapidly ami unconcernedly ns though he saw his way. "Von ' poor boy," said .she, ..her tones tremulous with compassion, "how do '.you know, when you get to tho top of tho stairs?" . .. : .'II. don't,, madam," was the cool reply; "I keep right ou goiug.up," ...

block up carriago and . corridor, for. here there is an unconquerable aversion from using tho luggago-vau for anything that can, by hook or by crook, bo wedged through tho door or window, or over the toes of sull'oring humanity. Waterpots aro tucked V under the seat, and tho gradually composing passengers proceed .to divest themselves'of all unnecessary—and 'sometimes, one- would think quite neccssary —apparel. • And —. nothing happens. ': . • vr, Big wooden arks .with* gold-papered' panels and iron clamps, bastard descendants of tho coffers 0110 moots with in museums, coutimio to he brought into tho station; but when one sees two or thrco on tho back of ono still activo porter, ono realises that here, too, appearances aro deceptive, and that the contents are nob so. heavy* as they scorn. Gradually the station, empties; we aro all quite composed now.; havo ovon •: entered upon .a .'stago.-.of-. sodden resignation, when, at lon last, and : apparently, without any particular reason, tho . train makes up its mind.to. start..- - • •• AT " EXPRESS " SPEED. an express,-it will -onlystop; indefinitely at' every-station and "a' fow 'tiiiiss in bel.w eon, and tho pace is a gentle "dander," admirably ■ adapted lot 1 tho - full' enjoyment of the landscape. ' Trains marked "Gran velocidad" (high speed)'aro of tho baggago order, with a predilection for standing still: Station. and. stationary aro almost- synonymous terms' in Spain. Commercial travellers, with only two or thrco stations to pass, clutch their seats, and with straining eyes give themselves up to the. obvious fear of being - whirled past their destination—this, of itself, being proof that tho unexpected is rpiite the expected here; but those with a. longer - journey /.Wore them sit at ease, anil tho strangers of a whilo ago are.now one's most interested, friends. They abound in information" of-tho most .varied and untrustworthy kind; little escapes thoir curiosity, nothing' their comment. It is a surprise to hear that 0(10 is English—"thoy liadi thought ■ Erciieh. but they like tho English much better. Now, food is brought out and offered, and good wishes af to its profitableness exchanged,m'oi-' in' Spain it is tho height'of bad manners to. cat in churlish solitude; even if sitting by tho road.sido one must offer one's crust to the passer-by. At present grapes, bread, and the eminently. re-: speclabic ehorizo form tho menu. "Travel without-ehorizo? • AVby, people will think you can't afford it!" This delectable dish is a species of highly- spiced sausage, of tho durability and consistency of red elephant hide, and it 1 possesses a power of resistance and abidingness that does it credit in this so mutablo world.